The Indian women's cricket team is basking in the euphoria of their historic ICC Women's World Cup 2025 victory, a triumph that has ignited celebrations across the nation. After defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the team arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, November 4, to a resounding welcome.
The team's arrival at their hotel in Delhi was met with loud cheers from fans and staff who gathered to congratulate the champions. The players, sporting their team tracksuits, joined in a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony. However, the highlight of the event was undoubtedly Jemimah Rodrigues, who, true to her reputation, infused the atmosphere with her infectious energy, breaking into an impromptu dance.
Videos circulating on social media capture Rodrigues' spirited dance moves, with teammates Sneh Rana and Radha Yadav joining in the joyful revelry to the beats of the dhol. The celebrations encapsulated the team's emotions and the significance of their achievement. This World Cup victory marks India's first-ever in the Women's World Cup, etching their names in the nation's sporting history.
The victory was hard-earned, with India overcoming defending champions Australia in a dramatic semi-final clash. In the final against South Africa, the "Women in Blue" displayed all-round brilliance, powered by stellar performances from Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma. Sharma's 55 runs and five-wicket haul, combined with Verma's crucial contribution, propelled India to a formidable total. While South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt fought valiantly with a century, India's bowlers maintained their composure to secure the historic win.
The team's success has been met with widespread praise and admiration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to felicitate the team on Wednesday, November 5, recognizing their remarkable achievement. This recognition mirrors the honor bestowed upon the men's team after their T20 World Cup victory in 2024.
The celebrations extend beyond the team hotel, with fans across India taking to the streets to celebrate the World Cup win. The scenes are reminiscent of the celebrations that followed India's Champions Trophy win earlier in March 2025, where fans lit firecrackers and gathered at landmarks like India Gate to share in the joyous occasion.
This victory signifies a new chapter in Indian cricket, highlighting the rise of women's cricket in the country. The team's achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and a testament to their dedication and hard work. As Harmanpreet Kaur, the team's captain, aptly declared during the trophy celebrations, "... champion likhke aayega (there will be 'champions' written here)".
While celebrations continue, it's worth noting that a video of Jemimah Rodrigues dancing, which went viral recently, was not from the World Cup semi-final as initially claimed. The video, which actually dates back to October 26, 2025, during the India vs Bangladesh match, was falsely attributed to the recent victory over Australia.
